Jan
min : -9°C
max : -2°C
We Love —
- Discover Norway's entire coastal route with 34 ports of call, sailing past more than 100 fjords and 1,000 mountains.
- Cross the Arctic Circle and search for the Northern Lights or try out some of the many excursions available.
- Our members may stay on one of two newly refurbished Scandinavian style ships, with Full Board dining and a choice of three cabin types.
New Voyage Privé —
Carefully selected by our experts especially for you
Your Holiday —
Your Destinations —
Norway
Visit Nordkapp for a truly unforgettable experience to the northern most point in Europe where you will look out over the edge of the world and visit the Children of the World sculpture. Explore the charming colourful, wooden buildings of Bergen and dive into Norway's rich history. Tromso is home to the famed Arctic Cathedral and is a great place to spot the Northern Lights. Visit the colourful cities of Trondheim and Kristiansand and the enchanting town of Kirkenes for an insight into the Norweigan way of life. Fjords, mountains, lakes and cultural sites await you at every turn in this characterful land of myth and wonder.
Our Offer —
11-Night Iconic Voyage along the Norwegian Coast from Bergen to the Russian Border. Visit 34 charming Norwegian ports, 22 within the Arctic Circle.
Your Itinerary In Brief —
Day 1: Bergen
Day 2: Florø - Molde
Day 3: Kristiansund - Rørvik
Day 4: Brønnøysund - Svolvær
Day 5: Stokmarknes - Skjervøy
Day 6: Øksfjord - Berlevåg
Day 7: Båtsfjord - Kirkenes - Berlevåg
Day 8: Mehamn - Tromsø
Day 9: Tromsø - Stamsund
Day 10: Bodø - Rørvik
Day 11: Trondheim - Ålesund
Day 12: Bergen
Your Cruise Itinerary —
During their tour, our members will follow the itinerary as seen below.
Your voyage starts in Bergen, a city surrounded by seven mountains. Before departure you may wish to explore this cultural gateway to the fjords. Bergen was founded in 1070 AD, and was the capital of Norway for several years. The city is a central point for Norwegian travel, and has retained a great deal of local character and history. One example of this is the historic UNESCO-listed Bryggen district with colourful wharfs that date back to the 14th century. Enjoy a trip on the Fløibanen Funicular or visit the famous fish market.
After embarkation, you are invited to enjoy a dinner buffet, based on the best ingredients from the coast. Then the ship will sail north from Bergen along the Hjeltefjord, the same route the Vikings once plied to the Shetland Islands and beyond where you will head to the high north. Spend the rest of the evening relaxing as you admire the spectacular landscapes, either from deck or in our panorama lounges. As a guest, you can go on hikes with the Expedition teams by getting on of the Outdoor Activity Passes.
Day 2: Florø - Molde
Wake up early and enjoy the chance to view the breathtaking beauty of the Nordfjord, followed by breakfast. Sail past the West Cape and head out onto the open sea. The ship then navigates through skerries and islands before reaching Ålesund. Distinguished by its numerous spires, towers and highly-ornate buildings, Ålesund is a town renowned for its beautiful art nouveau architecture. If you like marine life, embark on a visit to Atlanterhavsparken - one of Northern Europe’s largest salt-water aquariums. The tour includes a visit to the open-air pool to see the resident penguins. After visiting Atlanterhavsparken, continue onwards and upwards to Mount Aksla where you will get an amazing panorama of the area.
In the summer months, set course for the spectacular UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord passing sheer, 800 metre cliffs and impressive waterfalls en route. In autumn, explore Hjørundfjord, situated amidst the majestic Sunnmøre Alps. Its seclusion and unspoiled natural landscape are what give this fjord its special character. Molde is known as the ‘city of roses’ and is an attractive coastal city with a wonderful view to 222 mountain peaks, called ‘the Molde panorama’.
Few large cities have managed to preserve their intimacy as effectively as Norway’s third largest city, Trondheim. Viking king, Olav Tryggvason, founded this ancient city as early as 997. During spring and summer, continue to the Ringve Museum of Musical History, where the history of Norway’s music is brought to life. This beautiful manor house is surrounded by a wonderful botanical garden, and provides fantastic views of both the city and the fjord. From September to May you can experience Trondheim in a vintage carriage on the world’s northernmost tram for a unique sightseeing tour.
You can also explore Trondheim from sea level in a kayak along the river Nid all year, or experience the city on a bicycle and try out the world’s only bicycle lift from April to September. Join the Expedition team for a hike to discover more of the surroundings of Trondheim. In the afternoon, the ship sets a northwest course, passing the beautiful Kjeungskjær lighthouse and numerous charming islets and rocky outcrops. After passing through the narrow Stokksund, the ship heads towards charming Rørvik.
Day 4: Brønnøysund - Svolvær
Today you will prepare to cross the the Arctic Circle. This invisible line is situated at 66 degrees 33 minutes north and marks the border to the Arctic Region. In summer, this means 24-hour daylight - often referred to as the ‘midnight sun’. During winter, being above this latitude provides the best chances for experiencing the Northern Lights. Even if you aren’t awake to see the Arctic Circle, the captain makes sure that the occasion is a memorable event. If you are sailing in Arctic waters for the first time, you can participate in a daytime Arctic Circle ceremony on deck.
Near Ørnes, you find Svartisen, Norway’s second largest glacier. Choose to join a trip to the Svartisen Tourist Centre in summer, where you can admire the beauty of this enigmatic world of ice. Afterwards, the journey continues along the beautiful coast of Helgeland to Bodø, where you re-join the ship. In Bodø, you can join an adventure in harmony with nature, eagles and the deep blue sea. Then head to Saltstraumen in a RIB, where you can witness the world’s most powerful tidal current. On this exciting journey through wild landscapes, there is also a good chance to observe sea eagles.
Later in the afternoon, the sight of the 1,000m high Lofoten Wall appears on the horizon. Tucked between majestic granite cliffs and white sandy beaches, Lofoten is an experience that is out of the ordinary. Take a stroll between stockfish racks and ‘rorbuer’, the traditional fisherman’s huts. At Stamsund, join a historical journey to the Lofotr Viking Museum, where you are invited into the chieftain’s house, a full-size reconstruction featuring exhibits of finds dating back to the Viking Age. Between Stamsund and Svolvær, you have the chance to experience life on a herb and cheese farm in Lofoten, or visit the Lofoten’s only craft brewery, situated in an old fish landing facility in Svolvær. The ship also celebrates the hunt for the Northern Lights by presenting a multimedia show, ‘The Magic Light, Aurora Borealis’, featuring pictures, words and music. You will sail through the narrow Raftsund before stopping at the entrance to Trollfjord. Here, enjoy freshly made fish cakes out on deck and hear the story of ‘The battle of Trollfjord’, which took place here in the winter of 1890.
A day full of exciting activities awaits here! During the morning hours, you will briefly dock at Risøyhamn, Harstad and Finnsnes. The ship then continues to Tromsø, `Capital of the Arctic´. Many epic Arctic expeditions used Tromsø as a starting point and it is here that you can join the `Polar History Walk´ in winter to learn more about the explorers and Arctic hunters, and to taste beer made at the world's northernmost brewery. Why not test your coordination skills and have some winter fun by joining a cross-country skiing or snowshoeing adventure or go deep-sea fishing on an Arctic fjord.
All year you can join the Expedition team for hikes and discover more of Tromsø and its surroundings. After an exhilarating day in Tromsø you will continue northwards and the ship will sail into waters where you have the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights between September and March. Guests can gather on deck to search the skies for this breathtaking phenomenon.
Day 6: Øksfjord - Berlevåg
Enjoy magnificent sub-Arctic landscape as you cross the 71st parallel on your journey towards North Cape, one of the northernmost points on the European continent. In summer, you may see herds of grazing reindeer and small camps belonging to the indigenous Sámi people. After a brief and early stop in Hammerfest, arrive in Havøysund where you can disembark for an overland RIB expedition. Then go ashore to visit the northernmost fishing village in the world, before a bus takes you to the North Cape where you can enjoy the spectacular, unforgettable view. The ship will arrive in Honningsvåg, the gateway to the spectacular North Cape. Standing on top the 307-metre high North Cape plateau imparts an incredible sense of being at the end of the world. Nearby is one of the world's most exciting nature reserves, Gjesværstappan.
The ship then continues north, sailing into the heartland of the indigenous Sámi people, where you will pass their ancient sacred site, the rock formation Finnkirka before heading on to the fishing village Kjøllefjord. Here you have the opportunity to learn more about the Sámi people, as well as to explore the wonderful landscape in summer and autumn. Learn about Sámi traditions and their way of life, and hear traditional Sámi joiking (song).
The vistas become more dramatic on the approach to Kirkenes, where you will arrive early in the morning in Vadsø and just after breakfast, arrive in Kirkenes. This is Hurtigruten’s turning point for the return journey southwards. Kirkenes is known as the capital of the Barents region and gateway to the east. The Russian border is a just few miles away. Travel either by bus (all year), enjoy a riverboat safari, or join an action-packed trip on ATV/quad-bikes. Kirkenes also boasts several small museums recounting the remarkably rich history and heritage of this remote region. Spending time in Kirkenes provides the opportunity to take part in numerous adventurous activities into the Arctic environment. In winter and spring, you can join several activities and excursions, for example, exploring the Arctic wilderness on a snowmobile and driving over a frozen fjord. During the trip, your guides tell you about the history of the region, the extreme Arctic climate and the area´s unique wildlife.
As the ship starts its voyage south, you can enjoy lunch followed by views of the surrounding Arctic landscape on deck or from the panorama lounge. As you depart Kirkenes, you’ve only seen half of what our voyage along the Norwegian coastline has to offer. The ports previously visited by night on the northbound journey will now be seen by day. In the afternoon, the ship again docks at Vardø, Norway’s easternmost port. Weather permitting, you may be able to experience ice bathing in the Arctic Ocean in winter. On board in spring, there is a presentation about shorebirds residing along the Nordic coastline. Heading south, cruise along the Varanger peninsula to Båtsfjord, before reaching Berlevåg in the evening.
Day 8: Mehamn - Tromsø
In the middle of the night, the ship will dock at Mehamn, where it is possible to join an unforgettable snowmobile trip through one of Europe's most extreme and exciting natural areas during winter time. Experience snow-clad valleys, fresh winter air and perhaps the mesmerising Northern Lights in the clear, starry sky.At Honningsvåg you can join an excursion that features breakfast at North Cape and the discovery of hidden parts of Finnmark along the way between May and October. Before stopping in Hammerfest, you can enjoy an 'energy coffee' and short introduction to Melkøya - the world´s northernmost natural gas terminal'. Hammerfest was founded in 1789, and over time became Norway's polar capital, serving as a base for hunting expeditions into the High Arctic. Here you can see the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column, erected in 1854 to commemorate the first precise geographic measurement of the globe.
Continue south to Øksfjord and after crossing open water, make a brief stop at the old trading post of Skjervøy. In spring, you will sail through the beautiful Lyngenfjord, surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Lyngen Alps: Here, you might get a taste of fresh locally-caught prawns. Then dock at Tromsø, just in time to enjoy a magical midnight concert at the Arctic Cathedral. A walk around the town provides you the chance to enjoy a local brew at one of the city's many friendly pubs.
This morning you will arrive at Harstad and have the opportunity to participate in one of the classic Hurtigruten excursion programmes: A taste of Vesterålen. Experience history, beautiful scenery and a selection of breathtaking sites. The ship will then sail towards the Risøyrenna, a shallow 7-metre-deep channel made especially for Hurtigruten in the 1920s to provide an 'inside route' between Harstad and Sortland. The island groups of Lofoten and Vesterålen offer some of the most stunning scenery you will see during the entire coastal voyage. The Lofoten region is renowned for its natural beauty with steep mountains, wild nature and small, picturesque fishing villages.
Make a short stop at Risøyhamn, a small village with only 200 inhabitants. As a springtime tribute to the region's fishing history, the chef shows how to fillet the catch of the day on deck. You will then continue south via Sortland to Stokmarknes, where Hurtigruten was founded more than 125 years ago. Go ashore and pay a visit to the Hurtigruten museum here. Continuing southwards, slip through an opening in the mountain wall that leads to the narrow Raftsund. This 20km passage between Lofoten and Vesterålen takes you through mountains soaring 1,000 metres directly out of the sea. From here you will reach the spectacular Trollfjord, only 2km long and 100 metres wide, surrounded by majestic mountains. If the weather and time permit, the captain may make a detour into the fjord. Steep cliffs hug the ship's sides and the dramatic landscape conjures fairy tale images of an imaginary land of trolls. Just north of the fjord, a smaller vessel awaits to take you out to see this magnificent sea eagle up close on an optional sea eagle safari. If there is time, you will see the Hurtigruten ship turn around in the narrow fjord. The eagle safari begins after leaving the Trollfjord, passing through narrow channels flanked by steep mountains where the sea eagles dwell and can be viewed.
Reaching Svolvær, you can choose from several excursion options. From Svolvær, continue on to Stamsund, where you will see the majestic peaks of the huge Lofoten wall. Leave Lofoten during the evening and set course for the mainland.
Day 10: Bodø - Rørvik
Crossing the Arctic Circle at 66°33’N is an important ‘rite of passage’. Celebrate the moment out on deck with a `taste´ of Arctic tradition – a spoonful of cod liver oil. Then sail along the Helgeland coast and pass hundreds of islets, fertile farmland and steep granite walls rich in local lore. On deck you can see the strange mountain Torghatten (rising 258 m above sea level), famous for its distinctive hole right through the middle that was created during the ice age. Another highlight is sailing past the Seven Sisters mountain range. All seven mountains are between 900 and 1,100 m high, and it is easy to understand how these ‘ladies’ influenced ancient myths.
Next you will make a short stop at Nesna, an idyllic old trading post before moving on to Sandnessjøen. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Vega Islands is close to Sandnessjøen and can be visited on an optional excursion during summer. This unique cultural landscape consists of dozens of islands. The UNESCO designation was awarded due to the unique interaction between the eider duck and island population. Brønnøysund is a vibrant and pretty little town where you can stroll around and enjoy looking at the small boats and bustling life of the archipelago.
Today provides another opportunity to explore the enigmatic city of Trondheim. Back on board, the ship heads out into the majestic Trondheimsfjord, which is 170 km long and up to 25 km wide. Like all other Norwegian fjords, it is deep, plunging to 577m. As we sail along the coast, you realise the importance of fish to Norwegian coastal communities. Kristiansund’s location has steadily provided the town with a wealth of opportunities in the fishing, shipbuilding and oil industries. Kristiansund is today regarded as Norway’s ‘dried cod capital’ because of its long-time export of salted dry fish.
Another interesting excursion you may wish to join is to the Bergtatt marble mine, which includes entering a mountain and sailing across an illuminated subterranean lake, before enjoying a meal in the mine´s ‘Grand Hall’. Those choosing to stay on board at Kristiansund will experience the ship´s crossing the open sea on our way to Molde. Along the way you see see the steep, grey, pointed peaks of the Romsdal Alps.
Day 12: Bergen
During the night, the ship calls at Ålesund, Torvik, Måløy, as the world’s most beautiful voyage draws to a close. Before docking in Bergen, there are some nautical miles of fascinating scenery ahead of you, including the picturesque Nordfjord below the enormous Jostedal Glacier. Here the fjord widens to the east and forges 90 km inland to Loen and Olden. The rugged coastal areas are a striking contrast to the inner fjord regions where the wind is gentler and less rain falls. This landscape has its own distinctive charm and you are encouraged to experience it. In the morning, call at Florø, a modern coastal seaport that is also the Sogn og Fjordane region's oldest town and Norway’s westernmost community. Despite constant changes, the city of Florø has maintained its special features.
A few nautical miles south of Florø, the ship will navigate the mouth of the mighty Sognefjord, and enjoy superb views of this magnificent island-studded coastline en route. Finally, you disembark in Bergen, taking with you memories of a unique journey filled with unforgettable experiences and meetings with local people, wildlife and stunning nature.
Your Ship —
You will enjoy an 11-night cruise on either the MS Nordnorge or the MS Kong Harald, in an Inside, Outside or Superior Double Cabin on a Full Board Basis (breakfast. lunch and dinner at the main restaurant - excludes drinks).
MS Nordnorge was refurbished in 2016 and now features a modern, Arctic-inspired interior. On board are three different restaurants, the Multe bakery and ice cream bar, a sauna and fitness room. Out on deck you can enjoy the view from one of the two hot tubs. There is also a comfortable bar at the front of the ship where you can enjoy a nice traditional drink. The vessel also has a large compass area where you find the reception, a tour guide, conference room and shop.
MS Kong Harald
MS Kong Harald was similarly refurbished in 2016. The ship features the same facilities as the MS Nordnorge with the addition of the top deck of the boat which features a sun deck, observation saloon and panorama lounge, all of which provide splendid views of spectacular coastal scenery. Both ships allow guests to experience a 'university at sea' where you can learn and ask questions regarding the region and the fascinating facts about the country.
The ship will take you across almost 2,500 nautical miles of Norway's incredible coastal scenery. There are also over 90 optional excursions on offer that you can choose to take part in along with hikes and activities coordinated by the Expedition teams.
You will be staying on a Full Board dining basis meaning breakfast, lunch and dinner are included each day of your cruise. The products served are proudly local and fresh and often tell a story of life along Norway's coastline. Between Bergen and Kirkenes, you can taste lamb from Geiranger, king crab from the Barents Sea, cheese and cod from Lofoten, reindeer from Finnmark and apples from Hardanger.
Please note: Cruising route is subject to change depending upon weather conditions. Guests are obliged to follow ship rules (found in written form on the ship) especially with regards to bringing drinks on board. In case of bad behavior, the captain reserves the right to ask the clients to disembark. - Cruising route is subject to change depending upon weather conditions - Guests are obliged to follow ship rules (found in written form on the ship) especially with regards to bringing drinks on board. - In case of bad behavior Elite Travel/captain reserves the right to ask the clients to disembark
Your Stateroom —
You will stay in an Inside, Outside or Superior Cabin.
Inside Cabin
Outside Cabin
Superior Cabin
All Cabins sleep up to
2 Adults
Please note: Views from some staterooms may be obstructed. Your cabin number and location will be allocated upon arrival at check-in.
Your Journey —
Flights: You may choose from Economy, Premium or Business class flights on sectors that they operate, at the next stage of the booking process.
The flights included are with either a scheduled or no-frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
Please note: You should arrive in Bergen before 18:00 and return from Bergen after 17:30.
Transfers: Transfers are not included in this offer.
